2017 was the year of even more clean and natural beauty products, new innovative (Belgian) skincare brands and metallic lips. (Well, make-up brands seemed to think we would all love to rock them.) These are my favorite launches. Part I.

NOMIGE

Barbara Geusens, doctor in dermatology, launched Nomige in autumn. The skincare brand develops products based on your DNA and lifestyle. I will be writing a longer article on the brand and personalised skincare but in short: to me, Nomige was the most exciting launch of the year. Skincare based on your DNA is not new but Geusens very cleverly takes your lifestyle into consideration as well when developing your lifestyle day cream. I have been using the brand for almost 3 months now and my skin seems very happy with it.

Double Nettoyant Baume-en-Huile, Lierac

I like a good oil cleanser because it takes away every make-up trace and other dirt without drying out skin. Lierac launched its brand new cleansing range in 2017. This Balm-in-Oil is my favorite of the bunch: you simply massage the creamy balm into dry skin. It turns oily and milky in contact with water that washes away all make-up, sebum and pollution particles. The formula is also hydrating and nourishing thanks to hyaluronic acid and other nourishing ingredients.

Bi-fase micellar water (€ 9,99), L’Oréal Paris

2017 might be called the year of micellar cleansers and shampoos. This one by L’Oréal Paris might not be that innovating but it is a good micellar cleanser that beats waterproof make-up. Plus, it is fragrance-free, which is pretty exceptional in the micellar water market.

Pep-Start Pout Restoring Night Mask, Clinique

Don’t take the name too seriously: you can use this lip balm day and night. A little goes a long way to make lips feel nourished and smooth. I was happy to discover this formula: my lips are completely dehydrated and chapped due to allergies, so I can always use a good, lanolin, coconut oil and fragrance-free lip balm, which isn’t that easy to find. Warning: if you avoid petrolatum in skincare, this lip balm is not for you.

Cloud Paint in Beam ($ 18), Glossier

I am not sure whether this cream blush was launched in 2017 but a colleague brought it with her from a trip to NYC last year. And it turned out to be my most used blush of last year. It is easy to apply and blend and leaves behind a healthy, natural glow.

2017 was the year of the handy facial sunscreen in a spray. I survived Australia without a sunburned face with a La Roche-Posay spray (I used a regular sunscreen in the morning and topped up on sun protection with the spray throughout the day). I emptied the Bioderma one and started using this Garnier one. It is easy and quick, you do not have to massage it in and you can easily use it over your make-up.

Meltdown Makeup Remover Dissolving Spray, Urban Decay

Urban Decay also launched a cleansing range with clever products. This 3 ingredients only spray is pretty impressive: you spray it in your hands or on a cotton swab and you can literally just swipe away your (long-wear) make-up.

Pro-Tolérance Calming Cream (€ 10,99), Mixa

It isn’t sexy but this day cream for intolerant skin comes in a handy tube that makes preservatives unnecessary. Plus, it is fragrance free. I like to use it when it is really cold outside or when there is a freezing wind to keep my skin well hydrated and comfy. Love the price tag, too.

Exceptional Hand & Nail Cream (€ 19,95), Rainpharma

Unfortunately I cannot use this natural handcream (it contains linalool, which I am allergic to) but my boyfriend has been using it about two months now and likes it. The formula promises to even out skin tone, nourish and protect the natural skin barrier. It smells divine, too. The proceeds go to Think Pink.

Lipikar Stick AP+ (€ 12,90), La Roche-Posay

People who suffer from atopic dermatitis know how an itch can make your life a lot less comfortable. (Blood spots on my sheets because I have been scratching in my sleep? Check!) This stick was specially developed to ease itching and fits your bag easily.

ACN+ Cream (€ 45), Yun

Another impressive Belgian skicare launch: Yun’s acne cream and feet fungus spray contain living probiotics that have to bring the skin’s microbiome back into balance. I will be writing a longer article about this, too.